Red Bulls, Orlando City end Disney Classic in 4-4 draw

PRESS RELEASE - Forward Bradley Wright-Phillips had two goals while Ibrahim Sekagya and Jonny Steele also scored, as the New York Red Bulls wrapped up preseason play with a 4-4 tie against Orlando City SC at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in the third place match of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic Saturday evening.

In a seesaw affair throughout the 90 minutes, Orlando City took the lead in the seventh minute. Corey Hertzog was able to get to an errant back pass along New York’s back line and slotted it into the back of the net.

Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles made a strong save on Hertzog moments after the opening tally, coming off his line to block the Orlando City forward’s shot. Then in the 28th minute, Orlando City midfielder Kevin Molino’s long range effort slammed off the crossbar before being cleared by New York.

The Red Bulls were able to tie the game seconds following Molino’s chance. New York midfielder Lloyd Sam darted down the right wing and hit a low cross into the box. Wright-Phillips was there to redirect it with his right foot past goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo and into the goal.

Soon after halftime, Wright-Phillips almost had his second of the match when he got to a Peguy Luyindula through ball, cut to his right foot and forced Gallardo to make a sprawling stop. The hometown team used that save to their advantage and went ahead in the 47th minute. After a short corner, Alvarez picked out Dennis Chin at the near post and the Orlando City forward nodded it in.

However, the Red Bulls responded five minutes later and equalized for the second time in the game. Eric Alexander slid it down the left channel to Steele, whose low cross was knocked in by Wright-Phillips. The Red Bulls then took the lead for the first time in the game in the 68th minute. McCarty’s free kick towards the back post was volleyed by Wright-Phillips straight at Gallardo. Gallardo was not able to control the powerful shot and Sekagya was there first to put it home from close range.

On the other end, Orlando City tied the game at 3 with less than 15 minutes to play. An Alvarez corner kick was cleared by New York to Adama Mbenque, who hit a left-footed blast into the top corner of the net.

New York scored again in the 80th minute. Luyindula found himself with space in the box and cut it to Steele. The Red Bulls midfielder made no mistake, ripping it in with his left foot from 12 yards out. But with four minutes left in in the match, Orlando City tied it again, as Molino got behind New York’s defense and chipped it in over a diving Robles.